HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-6-28ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF NONVOTING TAXPAYERS
Minutes of meeting 10 A.M., SATURDAY, June 28, 2014, at
4 Fairgrounds Road Q r7 ! ED,
1. Attending: Lou Bassano, Howard Blitman, David Brown, Roger
Ernst, Lucas Fischer, Sue Matloff, Bill Sherman, Jay Striu?sL` 21 05
(10:07 am — 11:13 am), Jim Treanor and Tony Walsh - -- a quorum.+
Selectmen Tobias Green and Rick Atherton (10:07 am —10".51
am)
and Harris Stone were also present. Members absent: Donald
Green, Steve Meader.
2. ACNVT Chair Howard Blitman called the meeting to order at
10:01 a.m. The proposed agenda for the meeting was approved.
The minutes of the September 13, 2013 meeting were approved.
3. Howard Blitman introduced Selectman Tobias Glidden, now into
the second year of his term. Tobias, who serves on the Capital
Programs Committee as well as the BOS, asked what ACNVT
members thought to be issues of concern to summer residents.
4. Lou Bassano asked Tobias how he viewed Sconset bluff erosion
measures. "Like a balloon," responded Tobias, erosion popping out
at a second area when curbed in a first. Lou suggested offering
affected bluff owners a town lot for their house, limited to a life
estate to induce them to move and forego armoring. Note was
made that many bluff owners had originally held inland lots across
Baxter Road but had sold them. A concern voiced by Lou and
Howard was fiscal impact on taxpayers when the Town partnered
in erosion control.
5. Rick Atherton explained that costs were incurred in diverting time
and effort of the BOS and Town staff from other important needs.
The Town hasn't joined the SBPF in its appeal to the state EPA but
nonetheless incurs legal costs (Town Counsel Koppelman & Paige
billing is not within its retainer).
6. Next was an explanation offered Tobias about the advisory role of
ACNVT on behalf of summer residents and its appointment by
Town Manager. Responding to Tobias' question of how ACNVT
gains awareness of summer resident concerns, members said that
their various personal and organizational contacts provided that
awareness. With no budget/expenditures, ACNVT did not
undertake polling. While ACNVT had sent advisory letters to the
BOS, the suggestion of sending them to the I &M raised questions
whether that would go beyond its advisory mission to one of
advocacy.
7. A particular role of ACNVT is co- sponsoring with the Nantucket
Community Association the annual Summer Forum. David Brown,
President of NCA as well as an ACNVT member, reported that the
2014 Summer Forum is set for 9:30 — 11:00 a.m. on Monday,
July28, in the Great Room of the Atheneum. Bill Sherman noted
that NCA typically takes on the cost and organizing effort for the
Forum while ACNVT lends weight in offering through the Forum
a voice specifically for summer residents in exchanges with the
BOS, with the Town Manager and other Town staff who attend.
8. Reverting to Sconset bluff issues, explanation was offered in
response to Jay Strauss that the Town is responsible for providing
alternative access for road and utilities if current access is lost to
erosion. A rough estimate of cost to replace Sconset bluff water
and electricity is $1 million. If sewering were lost, tight tanks for
septic might be an option. In any event, such
alternatives /improvements would be betterable, ie, chargeable to
the benefitted abutters as betterments. This would allow Town
recovery of its upfront costs.
9. Re concern about possible continuing costs for bluff erosion
control, eg, replenishing sand, one possibility is a special tax
district consisting of bluff properties protected from the erosion.
10. Tobias expressed concern about harbor pollution from fertilizer
runoff. Eventual regulation of fertilizer supply may be needed;
meanwhile, education about alternatives to an (overfertilized) lawn
could be useful. Howard noted the very responsible practices of the
Nantucket Golf Club in maintaining its grass.
11.Lou raised concern about high noise levels extending north from
the Tom Nevers Naval base, eg, anticipated with the scheduled
concert. Already offensive is the loud music projected by speakers
facing oceanward in the back end of SUV's. Can the police be
more effective? Need for the Tom Nevers bike path was also
stressed.
12. In Surfside the Boulevarde is so narrowed by vegetation that
oncoming SUVs have difficulty passing. Cutting back overhangs
would help while awaiting Town taking of the road. Perhaps cost
could be charged to a developer of Boulevarde property.
13. Given the aggravation experienced when bikers ride along roads
rather on a parallel bike path, suggestion was made of a home rule
petition to allow a restriction, eg, only experienced fast bikers
would have permits to use a road, rather than an available bike
path. Perhaps appointing a bike advisory committee could help.
Guidance might offered, eg, walk bikes across rotaries and
roundabouts.
14.After Tobias left at 10:50 a.m., Rick noted Tobias had a strong
interest in bike path improvement. Rick left at 10:52.
15. Given that ACNVT will be voting at its next (July 19) meeting for
FY2015 officers, Howard said that he would be stepping down as
Chair. Uncertainty was expressed whether Jim Treanor would be
continuing with ACNVT. Howard appointed three members as a
Nominating Subcommittee: Lou Bassano, Jay Strauss, and Lucas
Fischer [which will be subject to the state Open Meeting Law].
16.David Brown noted a potential focus of the Forum on island
energy issues. The Town's Energy Coordinator Lauren Sinatra will
be available as a resource.
17.Re our concern about developers who clear -cut a lot of its native
vegetation, the issue is still alive. Areas such as Tom Nevers with
deed restrictions might have prohibitions.
18.Howard raised concerns about proposed relocation /rebuilding of
the Cottage Hospital. Lou said that assessment of island needs is
one key to planning, also the role of the hospital's partnership with
MGH and any approval needed from the state for increased beds.
Bill is asked to invite hospital CEO and President Margot
Hartmann to a future ACNVT meeting.
19. Other potential speakers to be invited are Allen Reinhard, Chair of
the Land Bank etc, and representatives of the DPW and ConCom.
20.Dates of future meetings agreed: July 19 and August 2 (formerly
August 9).
21.The meeting was adjourned at 11:13 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Sherman, Secretary
Draft minutes e- distributed and submitted to Town Clerk 7/6/14
Minutes adopted? 119114, hard copy submitted to Town Clerk Z/ 21/14